LUMIX® DMC-FH8 16.1 Megapixel Digital Camera

DMC-FH8

Features

f/2.5 LEICA DC Lens

The DMC-FH8 incorporates a 24-120mm LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMARIT lens with f/2.5 brightness. The f/2.5 lens is brighter by approx. 25% than the f/2.8 lens which is generally considered a bright lens. It allows the use of higher shutter speed but captures clear, sharp, blur-free images even in lower lighting situation.

10x iA Zoom (Intelligent Zoom)

The iA Zoom (Intelligent Zoom) is an extension zoom function using digital zoom, however, you can even draw the subject 2x closer than the original optical zoom with minimum deterioration of image quality thanks to the Intelligent Resolution technology. This means the 5x optical can virtually extend to 10x equivalent.

MEGA O.I.S. – Shake Detection

The MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) compensates for the blurring caused by hand-shake. Even slight hand-shake movement is accurately detected by a sampling frequency of 4,000 times per second, and compensated to produce sharp, clear images.

The MEGA O.I.S. is effective for scenes like these.

Night Portraits

Night Scenes

In Dimly Lit Rooms

Macro Shots / Zoom Shots

iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode

In the iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode, the camera does all the work, leaving you free to compose your shot and capture the moment. You just press, aim and shoot. The detection and correction functions go to work to give you beautiful photos and videos* with maximum ease.

* The applicable iA Mode functions vary with photos and videos.

MP4 HD Video Recording FH8

The DMC-FH8 can record HD motion images (1,280 x 720 pixels) in MP4 format. A special, dedicated button lets you instantly start recording videos while shooting photos without having to change any settings.

In addition, a digital zoom is available in video recording.

[MP4] • Motion pictures in [MP4] can be recorded continuously for up to 29 minutes 59 seconds. • Also, motion picture recorded continuously in [MP4] is up to 4 GB. • Use a card with SD Speed Class* with "Class 4" or higher when recording videos.

* SD Speed Class is the speed standard regarding continuous writing.

• The length of recording time depends on the capacity of the SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card. • SDHC Memory Cards and SDXC Memory Cards can be used only in equipment that is compatible with their respective formats. • If the computer being used does not support SDXC Memory Cards, a message prompting you to format may appear. (Doing so will cause recorded images to be erased so do not choose to format.) If the card is not recognized, please refer to the below support site.http://panasonic.net/avc/sdcard/information/SDXC.html

Fun Functions - Shooting

A preset setting function lets the camera automatically make the optimal settings to give you superb images with ease, or to provide you with a variety of artistic possibilities.

Miniature Effect FH8

The Miniature Effect Mode in which the peripherals are defocused while saturation and contrast is emphasized to look the picture like a diorama.

In Miniature Effect Mode, the video recorded is played back in 10x fast-forwarding making it more comical to watch*.

* Sound will not be recorded with Miniature Effect and approximately 1/10 of the time period is recorded. (If you record for 10 minutes, the resulting motion picture recording will be approximately 1 minute long)

Panorama Shot

Panorama makes it possible to shoot a horizontal / vertical panoramic image with consequent shots taken by overlaying the previous image.

Fun Functions - Playback

Beauty Retouch Mode

The Beauty Retouch Mode makes it possible to virtually make-up the faces. The Aesthetic Retouch is like going to a beauty salon, and the Foundation and Make-up Retouch are like putting on make-up.

Auto Retouch

The Auto Retouch function adjusts contrast and brightness to give different impression to the photo with just a press of a button. Appropriate retouch is automatically applied depending on the image – if the image was shot too dark, it can be clear and bright to look it nicer with this function.

These functions are also available.

Sonic Speed AF: This gives the camera super high-speed response that helps to catch even the most fleeting photo opportunities.Still Image Recording: It is possible to take still image while recording video simultaneously** The picture size is fixed to 3.5-megapixel (16:9)3.0-inch LCD: The large, 230,000-dot high-resolution LCD serves as a small photo and video viewer, allowing you and friends to enjoy viewing images.Intelligent LCD: The Intelligent LCD automatically adjusts the brightness in 11 steps according to shooting conditions.4 Aspect Ratios: In addition to 4:3, 3:2, and 16:9, you can shoot with a 1:1 aspect ratio.LUMIX Image Uploader: You can upload photos to Facebook™ and videos to YouTube™ with simple operationBattery Life: The energy-saving Venus Engine and the efficient, rechargeable lithium-ion battery lets you take approx. 260 shots on a single battery charge*. The DMC-FH8 compatible with USB power charging in addition to the conventional AC power supply.* Based on the CIPA standard.Built-in Memory 70MB: The built-in memory provides extra memory when your memory card fills up.PHOTOfunSTUDIO: The PHOTOfunSTUDIO smartly sorts your photos and movies into practical folders for quick, easy management.

• The Windows 7 is certified with the camera unit and the included software PHOTOfunSTUDIO Ver. 8.0 Lite Edition. • Windows and the Windows logo are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. • SDXC Logo is a trademark of SD-3C,LLC. • SDHC Memory Cards and SDXC Memory Cards can be used only in equipment that is compatible with their respective formats. • If the computer being used does not support SDXC Memory Cards, a message prompting you to format may appear. (Doing so will cause recorded images to be erased so do not choose to format.) If the card is not recognized, please refer to the below support site.http://panasonic.net/avc/sdcard/information/SDXC.html • Leica is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH. • SUMMARIT is a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG. • The Leica DC lenses are manufactured using measurement instruments and quality assurance systems that have been certified by Leica Camera AG based on the company's quality standards. • YouTube is a registered trademark or trademark of Google Inc. • Facebook is a registered trademark or trademark of Facebook, Inc. • iPhoto, Mac, and the Mac logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. The Works with iPhoto logo is a trademark of Apple Inc.

NOTE*1 / Recording conditions by CIPA standard / - CIPA is an abbreviation of [Camera & Imaging Products Association]. / - Temperature: 23 oC (73.4 oF)/Humidity: 50%RH when LCD monitor is on. / - Using a Panasonic SD Memory Card (32 MB). / - Using the supplied battery. / - Starting recording 30 seconds after the camera is turned on. (When the optical image stabilizer function is set to [ON].) / - Recording once every 30 seconds with full flash every second recording. / - Rotating the zoom lever from Tele to Wide or vice versa in every recording. / - Turning the camera off every 10 recordings and leaving it until the temperature of the battery decreases. / *2 / - These are standard times taken at a temperature of 23 oC (73.4 oF) and a humidity of 50%RH. / - The time available for recording varies depending on the environment, the interval between recordings, and the manner of use. / - Actual recordable time is the time available for recording when repeating actions such as switching the power supply [ON] / [OFF], starting/stopping recording, zoom operation etc. / *3 / - Motion picture in [MP4] can be recorded continuously for up to 29 minutes 59 seconds. / - Also, motion picture recorded continuously in [MP4] is up to 4 GB.

Accessories

Reviews

DMC-FH8 is rated
5.0 out of
5 by
1.

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Anonymous from
Great Beginner's Camera!This is my first Panasonic camera ever and I must say...it's a beauty. Not only is it sleek and stylish but it takes amazing pictures. It took me a few minutes of tinkering to figure out that my picture-taking experience could be even more magical when I switched the 'Mode' to 'iA' which made the camera basically do everything but push the button for me. From then on, everything was very stream-lined. I could manually change what types of pictures I was changing or use iA. The features are practically unlimited...you could sit there all day at the beach (like I did) taking pictures of the same thing in all the different modes! 'Burst Mode' was something I am especially fond of as it helped counter the blinking that sometimes happens when I'm photographing people. I'm a beginner picture-taker but I can see how someone who knows more about photography would enjoy this too, there's a lot of little things you can manually alter as well. I've had this camera for just a day and already I can tell you it was certainly worth it to wait and get this camera, loaded to the brim with a multitude of features while at the same time being as easy to use as pushing a button. I don't like how the rubber thing covering the charging/usb port on the camera doesn't flex or swivel out of the way, it seems as if, with time, it'll eventually break off leaving it vulnerable to the elements. The strap that comes with the camera isn't all that safe, it'd be nicer to have one that can adjust to tighten around your wrist instead of one that is so big, it almost serves no purpose...it could slide off my wrist at any moment. Besides those two little quirks, this thing is virtually perfect for the price. Get your own wrist strap but don't pass up on this camera! It shoots lightning fast and turns on faster than any camera I've ever seen!

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Service Request - If you need a product repaired and is NOT a TV, Microwave, Vacuum, or Massage Chair, you can use our Online Repair Request. There, you will be able to get a repair estimate, pay online, and track the repair status.

I am a professional photographer who is seriously considering switching to the Lumix mirrorless cameras. Does Panasonic have, or can you suggest, a web site that demonstrates how professional photographers are successfully using the Lumix professional cameras?

In conjunction with our Panasonic.com web site, our Sales and Marketing team also runs LUMIXLOUNGE.COM This site features work from Panasonic’s Luminary team of professional photographers who have migrated to the Lumx mirrorless cameras. The site also features schedules to live on-line and dealer events as well as convenient links to our latest firmware updates. Additional features to expand the site are already in progress.

Have more questions concerning your Panasonic camera?

Click here to visit the Panasonic Community to search for specific FAQs or tutorials for your product or ask questions directly to Panasonic or other customers.

How do I install firmware in my camera using an SD card?

Digital Still Camera Firmware Update Guide.

1) Preparation before attempting the update.

A. Make sure the camera's battery is completely charged. If the battery is not completely charged the firmware update will not begin. Format the SD memory card in the camera, then take a couple of pictures.

B. Turn off the camera.

2) Copying the Firmware to your memory card.

A. Download the latest firmware update for your model by clicking on the "Download Ver. X.X " link to a location on your computer (we recommend the "Desktop").

E."Drag" to Copy and Paste" the .bin file from the opened folder to the drive with the SD Card showing in your"My Computer" window for"PC" users and"Finder" or"Drive" in Macs. This will copy the file to the card.

F. If you choose to leave the SD Card in your camera, connect the camera to the PC with the USB cable. Turn the camera on and set it to"Playback" mode. Then select"PC" on the LCD screen. Drag the .bin file from the opened folder to the device that either says Panasonic or mass storage to complete the transfer.

G."SDXC cards, 32GB or larger, require special card readers. Depending on your PC, and the age of its operating system, you may not be able to directly write to such large cards. If your PC asks you to format the card, DO NOT, this is one indication that your system is not compatible with the newer larger memory cards. In this case a smaller card, 16GB or smaller should be used.

3) Updating the camera's firmware.

A. Turn the Camera off, insert the SD Card if you copied the firmware to the card while inserted into the computer.

B. Turn the Camera power on and press the"Playback" button. The camera's LCD screen should now be showing a screen asking if you desire to"Update" the firmware. Highlight"Yes" and press the"Menu/Set" button.

C. When the Camera has completed the firmware update it will turn itself off and then back on.

D. This completes the update process.

4) Confirming the update.

A. Turn the camera's power back on.

B. Set to"Playback" Mode.

C. Choose the"Setup" menu.

D. Select Version Disp.

Digital Still Camera Firmware Update Guide.

1) Preparation before attempting the update.

A. Make sure the camera's battery is completely charged. If the battery is not completely charged the firmware update will not begin. Format the SD memory card in the camera, then take a couple of pictures.

B. Turn off the camera.

2) Copying the Firmware to your memory card.

A. Download the latest firmware update for your model by clicking on the "Download Ver. X.X " link to a location on your computer (we recommend the "Desktop").

E."Drag" to Copy and Paste" the .bin file from the opened folder to the drive with the SD Card showing in your"My Computer" window for"PC" users and"Finder" or"Drive" in Macs. This will copy the file to the card.

F. If you choose to leave the SD Card in your camera, connect the camera to the PC with the USB cable. Turn the camera on and set it to"Playback" mode. Then select"PC" on the LCD screen. Drag the .bin file from the opened folder to the device that either says Panasonic or mass storage to complete the transfer.

G."SDXC cards, 32GB or larger, require special card readers. Depending on your PC, and the age of its operating system, you may not be able to directly write to such large cards. If your PC asks you to format the card, DO NOT, this is one indication that your system is not compatible with the newer larger memory cards. In this case a smaller card, 16GB or smaller should be used.

3) Updating the camera's firmware.

A. Turn the Camera off, insert the SD Card if you copied the firmware to the card while inserted into the computer.

B. Turn the Camera power on and press the"Playback" button. The camera's LCD screen should now be showing a screen asking if you desire to"Update" the firmware. Highlight"Yes" and press the"Menu/Set" button.

C. When the Camera has completed the firmware update it will turn itself off and then back on.

D. This completes the update process.

4) Confirming the update.

A. Turn the camera's power back on.

B. Set to"Playback" Mode.

C. Choose the"Setup" menu.

D. Select Version Disp.

Require further assistance?

Click here to visit the Panasonic Community to search for specific FAQs or tutorials for your product or ask questions directly to Panasonic or other customers.

My camera won't power on. What can I do?

If you have a second battery, try it to see if you can power on the camera. If you dont have an extra battery and you're sure the battery you have is fully charged then the camera may need to be serviced.

Please include your name, address, telephone number, email address, copy of your purchase receipt (for warranty service), and a description of what is wrong with the unit. Freight collect shipments will not be accepted.

Panasonic is not responsible for damage that occurs in transit. All contents should be packaged for safe travel to the service center. Customer should use a reputable small package shipping company that is able to provide a package tracking number and insurance (if customer should so desire to insure their package).

Units that are abused, damaged, infested with insects, have corrosion, etc. will be placed out-of-warranty.

Once your unit arrives at the facility, you may contact us for status at:

Note: Please reference your Service Job number when contacting. You will be contacted if there is any cost you are responsible for.

Require further assistance?

Click here to visit the Panasonic Community to search for specific FAQs or tutorials for your product or ask questions directly to Panasonic or other customers.

How long should my battery last?

CIPA figures which range from 300-400 photos (depending on the camera model). CIPA measurement methods use a very controlled method to measure battery life. The procedure takes a specific number of shots at a fixed interval, with a fixed ratio of flash photos. While this method provides a standardized measurement that can be used to compare two cameras, it's far from how the camera is actually used. Life expectancy can be affected by any of the following: If the flash is used, the total number of photos can decrease by 30-40% If the camera has GPS, you can expect up to a 50% reduction in battery life. If the customer has no immediate need for GPS disable the feature in the camera's menu options. While the battery saver feature will turn the LCD panel off after a preset time (and place the camera into sleep mode) the camera still draws some power from the battery. We suggestion, turn the camera after each shot. At social gatherings, try and minimize passing the camera around the table to have others look at the photos. The LCD panel consumes ~30% of the total power.

Require further assistance?

Click here to visit the Panasonic Community to search for specific FAQs or tutorials for your product or ask questions directly to Panasonic or other customers.

Why do I have spots on some of my photos?

Spots can occur due to dust or dirt inside the lens, or when flash is used in a very dusty environment.

Require further assistance?

Click here to visit the Panasonic Community to search for specific FAQs or tutorials for your product or ask questions directly to Panasonic or other customers.

What size SD Card can I use in my camera?

Cameras with a manufacturing date of 2006 or before can only use Standard SD Cards (2GB Max). Models manufactured from 2007 to 2009 can only use Standard SD Cards and SDHC Cards (32GB Max). Cameras manufactured 2010 and later are also compatible to the SDXC memory card format. While your camera?s owner?s manual may state a maximum size, that size was the largest that was available when your camera was manufactured. Any currently available SDXC card, which will eventually increase to maximum of 2 TB is compatible. As the maximum size increases, to 2 TB, we do not anticipate any need for firmware updates.

Require further assistance?

Click here to visit the Panasonic Community to search for specific FAQs or tutorials for your product or ask questions directly to Panasonic or other customers.

Why am I unable to view the photos on my camera after I have deleted some files from the SD card using the computer?

It is not recommended that you delete or modify any photos on your SD memory card using your PC if you plan to move them back to the camera. Doing so can damage the file allocation table and your camera will not be able to read the files. You should immediately copy the remaining photos from your SD card to your PC. After doing so, using your camera, reformat the SD card.

Require further assistance?

Click here to visit the Panasonic Community to search for specific FAQs or tutorials for your product or ask questions directly to Panasonic or other customers.

What should I do to correct a "System Error Zoom", "System Error Lens", or "System Error Focus" message on my camera?

We recommend you try removing the battery from the unit for approximately 60 seconds and reinstall the battery. If you still receive the "System Error *****" message you will want to consider having the camera serviced.

Please include your name, address, telephone number, email address, copy of your purchase receipt (for warranty service), and a description of what is wrong with the unit. Freight collect shipments will not be accepted.

Panasonic is not responsible for damage that occurs in transit. All contents should be packaged for safe travel to the service center. Customer should use a reputable small package shipping company that is able to provide a package tracking number and insurance (if customer should so desire to insure their package).

Units that are abused, damaged, infested with insects, have corrosion, etc. will be placed out-of-warranty.

Once your unit arrives at the facility, you may contact us for status at:

Note: Please reference your Service Job number when contacting. You will be contacted if there is any cost you are responsible for.

Require further assistance?

Click here to visit the Panasonic Community to search for specific FAQs or tutorials for your product or ask questions directly to Panasonic or other customers.

There are vertical/horizontal lines in my LCD screen. What do I do?

If you have a second battery, try it to see if you can power on the camera. If you dont have an extra battery and you're sure the battery you have is fully charged then the camera may need to be serviced.

Please include your name, address, telephone number, email address, copy of your purchase receipt (for warranty service), and a description of what is wrong with the unit. Freight collect shipments will not be accepted.

Panasonic is not responsible for damage that occurs in transit. All contents should be packaged for safe travel to the service center. Customer should use a reputable small package shipping company that is able to provide a package tracking number and insurance (if customer should so desire to insure their package).

Units that are abused, damaged, infested with insects, have corrosion, etc. will be placed out-of-warranty.

Once your unit arrives at the facility, you may contact us for status at: